I'm new to the forum. I am looking at getting out of a trailer and have an opportunity to get a 97' Damon Motorhome with the 5.9l 180hp Cummins, w/ Allison Trans on a Freightliner XC chassis. Has under 60k miles. The price seems right. I was looking to see if anyone has good or bad thoughts on this setup. I can't seem to find much info on regarding this set-up. I know the 5.9 isn't a powerhouse but I'd be towing a Ford Escape, about 4k lbs, so not a big load. I understand the Freightliner chassis is a plus. Most trips would be under 1500 miles, occasional mountain trip is possible. Any thoughts good or bad is appreciated.I've also looked at the Class C's but seems most have the Ford V10 and I've read too many horror stories. They don't seem to get longevity on the engines and seem to have problems. Timing Belts and Valve problems when they get to about 100K

I'd lean towards a MH with the C8.3 if I was determined to tow the Escape.

GJax wrote:I'm new to the forum. I am looking at getting out of a trailer and have an opportunity to get a 97' Damon Motorhome with the 5.9l 180hp Cummins, w/ Allison Trans on a Freightliner XC chassis. Has under 60k miles. The price seems right. I was looking to see if anyone has good or bad thoughts on this setup. I can't seem to find much info on regarding this set-up. I know the 5.9 isn't a powerhouse but I'd be towing a Ford Escape, about 4k lbs, so not a big load. I understand the Freightliner chassis is a plus. Most trips would be under 1500 miles, occasional mountain trip is possible. Any thoughts good or bad is appreciated.I've also looked at the Class C's but seems most have the Ford V10 and I've read too many horror stories. They don't seem to get longevity on the engines and seem to have problems. Timing Belts and Valve problems when they get to about 100KFirst off, the 5.9, no it's DEFINITELY not a powerhouse but it goes down the road ok IF you're not in a hurry. I would not even consider pulling anything behind one.Secondly, I'm not sure what V10 'horror stories' you're referring to. In fact a quick search of this forum doesn't ring up any. We have a bunch of them in our fleet, mostly in F350/450/550's, none of them lead an easy life and some of them are well north of 300,000 miles (500,000 km) and have had nothing but routine maintenance. In fact we stopped buying diesels for the most part in smaller trucks because the V10 was cheaper and more reliable.

GJax wrote:I'm new to the forum. I am looking at getting out of a trailer and have an opportunity to get a 97' Damon Motorhome with the 5.9l 180hp Cummins, w/ Allison Trans on a Freightliner XC chassis. Has under 60k miles. The price seems right. I was looking to see if anyone has good or bad thoughts on this setup. I can't seem to find much info on regarding this set-up. I know the 5.9 isn't a powerhouse but I'd be towing a Ford Escape, about 4k lbs, so not a big load. I understand the Freightliner chassis is a plus. Most trips would be under 1500 miles, occasional mountain trip is possible. Any thoughts good or bad is appreciated.I've also looked at the Class C's but seems most have the Ford V10 and I've read too many horror stories. They don't seem to get longevity on the engines and seem to have problems. Timing Belts and Valve problems when they get to about 100KI owned a 36', '94 Fleetwood with Freighliner chassis pushed with a Cummins 5.9L 190HP engine and it was really slow going up hills, let alone mountains. I'm not a speed demon myself and I'm retired but it really got annoying that sometimes I'd only be able to get to 15 MPH up a grade. Made travel through mountains rather stressful. Never pulled a car with it because it was limited to 1300 LBS tow weight and I couldn't find a car that lightweight.I think you should look elsewhere. I have a 36' Winnebago now with a 330HP Cat and do tow a 2200 lb car. Great combination size/weight ratio. Although I do slow down a bit in the mountains, it's still much better than the 190 HP.Do yourself a favor and forget that small engine.

Agree, 180 HP DP pulling a 4k toad will be SLOW, particularly for you in the Texas hill country.Also, what transmission. Allison 4 speed or the (better) Allison 3000 6 speed electronic transmission. That will also make a difference.

GJax wrote:I'm new to the forum. I am looking at getting out of a trailer and have an opportunity to get a 97' Damon Motorhome with the 5.9l 180hp Cummins, w/ Allison Trans on a Freightliner XC chassis. Has under 60k miles. The price seems right. I was looking to see if anyone has good or bad thoughts on this setup. I can't seem to find much info on regarding this set-up. I know the 5.9 isn't a powerhouse but I'd be towing a Ford Escape, about 4k lbs, so not a big load. I understand the Freightliner chassis is a plus. Most trips would be under 1500 miles, occasional mountain trip is possible. Any thoughts good or bad is appreciated.I've also looked at the Class C's but seems most have the Ford V10 and I've read too many horror stories. They don't seem to get longevity on the engines and seem to have problems. Timing Belts and Valve problems when they get to about 100KNothing wrong with the V10 and with a zillion out there on the road.I'd be more concerned about the house and if you're wanting a DP, which is a different animal, than a gas puller.Nothing wrong with a FL chassis either, but when you say it's a plus, what are you comparing it to?You haven't spoken of your budget and must haves, which has everything to do with the many choices out there.

5.9l Cummins Used Motorhome | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

Jim
Explorer
Sep 07, 2018
GJax wrote:
I'm new to the forum. I am looking at getting out of a trailer and have an opportunity to get a 97' Damon Motorhome with the 5.9l 180hp Cummins, w/ Allison Trans on a Freightliner XC chassis. Has under 60k miles. The price seems right. I was looking to see if anyone has good or bad thoughts on this setup. I can't seem to find much info on regarding this set-up. I know the 5.9 isn't a powerhouse but I'd be towing a Ford Escape, about 4k lbs, so not a big load. I understand the Freightliner chassis is a plus. Most trips would be under 1500 miles, occasional mountain trip is possible. Any thoughts good or bad is appreciated.

I've also looked at the Class C's but seems most have the Ford V10 and I've read too many horror stories. They don't seem to get longevity on the engines and seem to have problems. Timing Belts and Valve problems when they get to about 100K

I owned a 36', '94 Fleetwood with Freighliner chassis pushed with a Cummins 5.9L 190HP engine and it was really slow going up hills, let alone mountains. I'm not a speed demon myself and I'm retired but it really got annoying that sometimes I'd only be able to get to 15 MPH up a grade. Made travel through mountains rather stressful. Never pulled a car with it because it was limited to 1300 LBS tow weight and I couldn't find a car that lightweight.

I think you should look elsewhere. I have a 36' Winnebago now with a 330HP Cat and do tow a 2200 lb car. Great combination size/weight ratio. Although I do slow down a bit in the mountains, it's still much better than the 190 HP.

Do yourself a favor and forget that small engine.
JaxDad
Explorer III
Sep 07, 2018
GJax wrote:
I'm new to the forum. I am looking at getting out of a trailer and have an opportunity to get a 97' Damon Motorhome with the 5.9l 180hp Cummins, w/ Allison Trans on a Freightliner XC chassis. Has under 60k miles. The price seems right. I was looking to see if anyone has good or bad thoughts on this setup. I can't seem to find much info on regarding this set-up. I know the 5.9 isn't a powerhouse but I'd be towing a Ford Escape, about 4k lbs, so not a big load. I understand the Freightliner chassis is a plus. Most trips would be under 1500 miles, occasional mountain trip is possible. Any thoughts good or bad is appreciated.

I've also looked at the Class C's but seems most have the Ford V10 and I've read too many horror stories. They don't seem to get longevity on the engines and seem to have problems. Timing Belts and Valve problems when they get to about 100K

First off, the 5.9, no it's DEFINITELY not a powerhouse but it goes down the road ok IF you're not in a hurry. I would not even consider pulling anything behind one.

Secondly, I'm not sure what V10 'horror stories' you're referring to. In fact a quick search of this forum doesn't ring up any. We have a bunch of them in our fleet, mostly in F350/450/550's, none of them lead an easy life and some of them are well north of 300,000 miles (500,000 km) and have had nothing but routine maintenance. In fact we stopped buying diesels for the most part in smaller trucks because the V10 was cheaper and more reliable.
johnhicks
Explorer
Sep 07, 2018
I'd lean towards a MH with the C8.3 if I was determined to tow the Escape.

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5.9l Cummins Used Motorhome

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